Generous transit passengers donate a 'busful' of school supplies for at-risk children
Over the past three weeks, transit passengers from across King County donated enough school supplies to fill an entire 30-foot Metro bus. Today, that bus was unstuffed so the supplies could be distributed to children served by the state Department of Social and Health Services – just in time for the new school year.
"I never cease to be amazed by the generosity of the residents of this region," said King County Executive Ron Sims. "The ‘Stuff A Bus’ campaign was short and sweet – targeted at people who ride Metro and Sound Transit buses, but the response exceeded our expectations. I am really thrilled to turn these school supplies over to the State Department of Social and Health Services to be distributed to children who can use a helping hand."
The 'Stuff A Bus'’ campaign was pioneered by Community Transit in Snohomish County, and this year spread to King County. Transit employees accepted donations of new school supplies at seven different King County park-and-ride lots during the first three weeks of August, and the Metro Pass Sales Office in Pioneer Square.
The collection netted more than 100 boxes, bags and cartons of backpacks, pencils, crayons, and all sorts of supplies that will give kids a positive feeling about going back to school. The collection was unloaded this morning by Sims and other transit officials at the King West Office of the Division of Children and Family Services (DCFS), part of DSHS. The office serves children at risk, most of who have been abused, neglected or exploited.
"I would like to thank King County Metro for its joint effort with Sound Transit, demonstrating commitment and support in advancing the education of children through the sponsorship of this excellent project," said Jacquelyn Buchanan, regional administrator for Region 4, Department of Children and Family Services.
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